Word Minimum Chicago Style Citing Textbook Jandt Fred E Edi
250 Word Mininmum Chicago Style Citing Textbook Jandt Fred E Edi
Readings: “Human Factors on the Flight Deck: The Influence of National Culture,” Merritt and Helmreich, Jandt pages 13-27; “What is the Basis of American Culture,” Aldridge, Jandt pages 84-98.
Compare the perspectives presented in these two readings: Merritt and Helmreich examine the cultural behaviors of Americans and Asians within the context of the flight industry, emphasizing differences in communication styles, decision-making, and teamwork. In contrast, Aldridge explores the historical development and core components of American culture, such as individualism, innovation, and a strong belief in democracy and liberty. While Merritt and Helmreich focus on contemporary behavioral differences in a specialized setting, Aldridge offer a broader cultural analysis rooted in history and societal values.
Both perspectives contain validity. Merritt and Helmreich’s observations are supported by empirical data showing that cultural background influences behavior in high-stakes environments like cockpit communication (Merritt and Helmreich, 2004). Their analysis underscores how cultural dimensions affect safety and teamwork. Conversely, Aldridge’s emphasis on American cultural traits helps contextualize why certain behaviors are prevalent in American society, supporting the idea that cultural values shape behavior over time (Aldridge, 2004).
However, each perspective also has limitations. Merritt and Helmreich may overgeneralize or overlook intra-cultural variations, falsely implying homogeneity among Americans and Asians. Aldridge’s analysis, while insightful, risks oversimplification by portraying American culture as static and monolithic, ignoring regional and individual differences. Both perspectives are useful but must be understood as part of larger, complex cultural dynamics. Recognizing these strengths and weaknesses allows for a nuanced understanding of cultural influences on behavior and identity.
Paper For Above instruction
The two perspectives provided by Merritt and Helmreich and by Aldridge offer valuable insights into American culture from different angles—behavioral and historical. Merritt and Helmreich’s study investigates how national culture influences behavior among pilots, a high-pressure environment requiring precise communication and teamwork (Merritt and Helmreich, 2004). Their research demonstrates that cultural dimensions like power distance and uncertainty avoidance significantly impact communication patterns and operational safety in the cockpit. This focused behavioral approach emphasizes that cultural differences manifest in everyday actions and responses in professional settings, highlighting the importance of cultural awareness in international industries.
In contrast, Aldridge’s exploration of American cultural foundations provides a broader historical perspective. He discusses how core American values such as individualism, innovation, and freedom have historically shaped societal behaviors and institutional development (Aldridge, 2004). His analysis emphasizes that American culture is rooted in Enlightenment ideals, influencing attitudes towards work, governance, and social interaction. While Merritt and Helmreich focus on the real-world implications of culture on specific professional behaviors, Aldridge constructs a macro-level understanding of the cultural traits that underpin these behaviors.
Both perspectives are valid and complement each other but also possess limitations. Merritt and Helmreich’s emphasis on behavioral differences offers practical insights for improving cross-cultural communication, especially in safety-critical environments. Yet, their approach risks overgeneralization, as individual differences within cultural groups may be substantial, and not all Americans or Asians conform to the generalized patterns. Similarly, Aldridge’s historical perspective might overlook contemporary variations and the dynamism of American culture, which is continually evolving due to globalization and internal diversity. Despite these limitations, integrating both viewpoints provides a comprehensive understanding of American culture, combining macro-level values with micro-level behaviors. This integration enhances the cultural competence of professionals working in international contexts and promotes more effective intercultural interactions.
In conclusion, both Merritt and Helmreich’s and Aldridge’s perspectives offer strengths: empirical behavioral data and historical cultural analysis, respectively. Their weaknesses involve potential overgeneralization and oversimplification. Recognizing these aspects allows for a more nuanced appreciation of American culture, essential for effective intercultural communication and safety management in global industries.
References
Aldridge, J. (2004). What is the basis of American culture? In F. E. Jandt (Ed.), Intercultural communication: A global reader (pp. 84-98). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Merritt, M., & Helmreich, R. (2004). Human factors on the flight deck: The influence of national culture. In F. E. Jandt (Ed.), Intercultural communication: A global reader (pp. 13-27). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Additional scholarly references to support the discussion include works by Hofstede (2001), Hall (1976), and Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner (1998) which explore cultural dimensions, communication styles, and intercultural competencies.